A Long Overdue Discussion Of Climate In Louisiana

Whether our politicians believe it or not, the Earth’s atmosphere is getting warmer because of all the fossil fuels that humans have burned; putting heat trapping material into the atmosphere. One consequence of a warming climate is a rise in sea level and the rising sea is putting our Louisiana coast in that much more peril. Even the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan which is THE plan for the restoration of Louisiana’s coast recognizes that climate change caused sea level rise is a threat to not only Louisiana’s coast but to coastal restoration efforts. And yet, Louisiana Politicians are so beholden to the Oil and Gas industry, which pumps millions of dollars into political campaigns and fills the State Capitol with lobbyists, that they are actively fighting not just efforts to address climate change but trying to derail the discussion all together.

Whether our politicians believe it or not, the Earth’s atmosphere is getting warmer because of all the fossil fuels that humans have burned; putting heat trapping material into the atmosphere. One consequence of a warming climate is a rise in sea level and the rising sea is putting our Louisiana coast in that much more peril. Even the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan which is THE plan for the restoration of Louisiana’s coast recognizes that climate change caused sea level rise is a threat to not only Louisiana’s coast but to coastal restoration efforts. And yet, Louisiana Politicians are so beholden to the Oil and Gas industry, which pumps millions of dollars into political campaigns and fills the State Capitol with lobbyists, that they are actively fighting not just efforts to address climate change but trying to derail the discussion all together.

This past Sunday over 300,000 people gathered in New York City for the Peoples Climate March in an effort to bring awareness and action on climate change. There were also 2808 solidarity events held concurrently in 166 countries with the New York march; including an event in New Orleans. Waterkeepers were well represented with over 100 members of Waterkeeper Alliance from a number of countries in attendance at the New York march.

Louisiana was represented in a big way in the lead-up to the Climate March by GreenARMY’s Lt. General Russell Honore’ who was interviewed by AL Gore for 24 Hours of Reality a 24 hour multimedia event aimed at bringing awareness and calling for action on climate change. General Honore’ discussed the issues that GreenARMY is working on in Louisiana. Click on the image below to see the video:

Louisiana is on the front lines of climate change. Rising seas will overwhelm our coast and coastal restoration efforts and our communities will be increasingly vulnerable to stronger hurricanes and increased severe weather events. Meanwhile our politicians are rolling out the welcome mat, giving away millions of our tax dollars to subsidize giant international fossil fuel corporations who are looking to Louisiana as the last place in the country who will tolerate them. Coal export terminals, crude oil export terminals, Natural Gas export terminals; all setting Louisiana up to continue to be ground zero for the very thing that is threatening it. It’s time for Louisiana to think about the future. It’s time for the climate conversation in Louisiana.